Backpacking on the GR 34

From Cap Fréhel to Mont‑Saint‑Michel Bay

From April to October

The sea is blue, green or grey, depending on the time, the weather or the season. Every colour is visible along the Emerald Coast, via Dinard and Cancale to Mont Saint-Michel Bay. The route passes through famous rocky headlands and wild beaches. Take advantage of coastal breaks to enjoy a different view!

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©Pointe de la Garde|PORIEL Thibault / SB
Step
01 Step 01

From Fréhel to Saint-Cast-le Guildo

Starting point: Port à la Duc, Pléboulle
Arrival: Saint-Cast-Le-Guildo, the port

Arriving in Dinan by car, or even better by train, the day before or the same day, is the most practical option. A taxi will take you to Port à la Duc and off you go to pick your way along the cliffs that line Fresnaye bay on the east. At high or low tide, the view is breathtaking, and particularly from Sainte-Efficace. On the way, you’ll see the tide mill of Roche Noire, stroll along beautiful beaches as far as Pointe de l’Isle at Saint-Cast-le-Guildo. It’s the ideal spot for a picnic with a view of Cap Fréhel, Fort-la-Latte, Saint-Malo. Take a rest on Grande Plage and enjoy a dip to relax your legs!

Paddle!

From the land, the Emerald Coast is great, but from the (clear) water, it’s excellent too! Give your legs a rest and put your arms to work for a kayak trip to the edge of Cap Fréhel and Fort la Latte, or the Ebihens archipelago. You can go on your own or supervised with Emeraude Kayak.

   Intermediate level

15 km – Around 3h30 of walking

Our tips

02 Step 02

Saint-Cast-le-Guildo and the surrounding area by the sea

Did you wake up early? Appreciate the morning calm and take a walk to Pointe de la Garde. It’s like being on the edge of the world, with an amazing view of the port, the Ebihens archipelago, Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer, etc. With large and beautiful beaches, secret coves and islands, Saint-Cast-le-Guildo bay is a paradise for water sports. Use this day to try out a catamaran, windsurf or paddle board. Another good idea: a boat trip. Set sail to Cap Fréhel and Fort la Latte on board a rigid-hulled inflatable boat, or on the Dragous, a replica of a 19th-century sailing trawler. Thrills and emotions guaranteed! At the end of the afternoon, take the bus to Lancieux (Breizhgo, line 14).

Our tips

03 Step 03

From Lancieux to Dinard

Starting point: Saint-Sieu beach in Lancieux
Arrival: Écluse beach in Dinard

Make sure you have a good breakfast! It will be a five or six-hour walk to Dinard. All along the way, you’ll go from points to rocky headlands. Your efforts will be rewarded with 80° views all along the coast: from Cap Fréhel to Saint-Malo. It’s no surprise that Picasso or Renoir chose to set up their easels here! You’ll meander along the GR® 34 roughly 40 m above the sea… Go down to Saint-Enogat beach and take the parapet walk at the bottom of the Belle Epoque villas in Dinard. From the bottom, they look even more impressive. In the distance, you can see striped blue and white tents. They belong to Écluse beach. You’ve arrived!

Sunset kayak 

You saw them overlooking the coastal path, now admire the villas of Dinard from a kayak. As the sun sets, the painting is truly magical! This sunset trip is also possible on SUP with Balade kayak 35.

   Skilled level

20 km – from 5h to 6h of walking

Our tips

04 Step 04

From Dinard to Saint-Coulomb, via Saint-Malo

Starting point: Promenade du Clair de Lune in Dinard
Arrival: Guimorais beach in Saint-Coulomb

Meet on Promenade du Clair de Lune in Dinard. Your day starts by taking a sea bus to Saint-Malo. Warm up your legs on the ramparts of the privateer city, in the narrow streets inside the city walls, on Sillon beach, etc. Take a detour through the seaside resorts of Courtoisville, Paramé and Rothéneuf. From here, you can get to Pointe de la Varde: an ultra-wild area of nature and one of the most beautiful views of Saint-Malo and the bay. Stay on the signposted track to avoid disturbing the wildlife. After Rotheneuf, move from bays to dykes and small tracks to Guimorais beach in Saint Coulomb. If the tide is low and you’ve still got some energy, make a tour of Guesclin island.

Put on your boots and put on your pirate’s hat!  

Hop on board the mythical privateer frigate, L’Etoile du Roy. Moored at the bottom of the Saint-Malo ramparts, this traditional sailing boat is one of the largest in France and a real floating museum. You’ll be able to dream of many an adventure on its deck!

   Intermediate level

12,5 km – Around 3h30 of walking

Our tips

Where to sleep in Saint-Coulomb?

Where to dine?

Where to find information?

 

How to get from Dinard to Saint-Malo?

05 Step 05

From Saint-Coulomb to Cancale

Starting point: Guimorais beach in Saint-Coulomb
Arrival: Port-Mer in Cancale

Nature lovers, you’ll be in your elements. This section of the GR34® offers a special meeting with landscapes that are a wild as they are sensitive! Remember to pack up your picnic (zero waste), and let’s go. Your first wonderful impression will be Pointe du Meinga, between high moors and low grass. The rocky spur you can see in the distance is Pointe du Grouin. Yes, you’re going there! But first, walk under the escort of European shags and  black-backed gulls, between dunes and pools, from sandy coves to cliffs sculpted by the waves. Your calves might sear a bit, but enjoy the peace and quiet and the wonderful feeling of freedom! When you arrive, take a well-earned rest on the lovely Port-Mer beach before reaching your accommodation in the centre of Cancale by taxi.

Dolphin spotting

A handy hint? Book in advance an outing with the naturalist association Al Lark, leaving from Port-Mer in Cancale, and, if they’re willing, get close to the common bottlenose dolphins in Mont-Saint-Michel bay. It’s always a magical encounter!

   Skilled level

15,5 km – Around 4h30 of walking

Our tips

06 Step 06

From Cancale to Dol de Bretagne, via Hirel

Starting point: Cancale harbour
Arrival: Dol-de-Bretagne

First take time to stroll around Houle harbour in Cancale. At the end, near the lighthouse, taste the famous local oysters. You can eat them at any time of day, even in the morning. Your taxi is here to take you to Hirel. Enjoy the fresh air on this 7 km coastline. Tighten your shoelaces, this is where you leave to reach Dol-de-Bretagne via the land. It’s a two-hour walk, but there’s a nice climb to reach the summit of Mont-Dol. At 65 m altitude, the view of Mont Saint-Michel Bay is worth the detour! At the bottom of Espérance chapel, catch your breath quietly…

Speed up in a land sail

The wind comes off the ocean, making it ideal to try out land sailing on the large Hirel beach (remember to book). Thrills guaranteed! The condition’s aren’t right? In Cancale, opt for a kayak, SUP or old sailing ship outing.

   Intermediate level

9 km – Around 2h of walking

Our tips

07 Step 07

From Dol-de-Bretagne to Mont-Saint-Michel

Starting point: Dol-de-Bretagne
Arrival: Mont-Saint-Michel – Transfer by train

Are you leaving Mont-Saint-Michel bay without visiting its wonder? What a pity! Accompanied by a certified guide (a pre-requisite), cross the bay (6 hours) or opt for a 2 to 4-hour walk, by day or by night, with or without a stop at Tombelaine. Depending on the tides, your guide will accompany you across this unique site, a real jewel of biodiversity, not forgetting its quicksand. It’s a trip you won’t forget!

Our tips

Ready to go?

Our tips to make your life easier

Come by train

  • Arrival: Dinan station
  • From Paris :
    • TGV Paris-Brest – Lamballe station
    • TGV Paris-Saint-Malo – Saint-Malo station

Getting around

  • BreizhGo: your personalised bus route, on Internet and mobile
  • Itirando: find your route and all the information on available modes of transport

Transfer luggage

Prepare your hike

Choose a restaurant

Cheap €
Affordable €€
Top-of-the-range €€€
Gastronomic €€€€

GR34, the most coastal Grande Randonnée trail

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